Apparatus dispensing rechargeable refrigerating elements

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a dispensing apparatus ( 1 ) with high refrigerating power, for delivering to users refrigerating elements ( 10 ) capable of diffusing frigories over a relatively great lapse of time so as to avoid interrupting the cold chain, comprising an input and disinfecting module ( 2 ) arranged above the refrigerating and storage module ( 6 ). The input ( 4 ) and output ( 7 ) orifices of the refrigerating and storage module are located substantially in the same plane and in the upper part of the docule which further includes third transfer mechanism ( 9 ) designed to lift the refrigerating elements towards the output orifice.

TECHNICAL DOMAIN

The present invention concerns an apparatus for dispensing rechargeablerefrigerating elements, especially plates or packets containing asubstance formulated to accumulate frigories, comprising at least:

an input and disinfection module for said refrigerating elementsprovided with an input opening, an output opening, and a first means fortransferring said elements between the two orifices; and

a refrigeration and storage module for said refrigerating elementsprovided with an insulated case, a cold generating device for chargingsaid refrigerating elements with frigories, an input orificecorresponding to the output orifice of said input and disinfectionmodule, and an output orifice, said orifices traversing a wall of saidinsulated case; and with a second transfer means using gravity totransport said refrigeration elements for recycling inside saidrefrigeration and storage module.

PRIOR ART

It is well known that a regard for maintaining the temperature of frozenproducts is essential, since health threatening micro-organisms candevelop very rapidly. In practice, with sensitive products such asground beef there should be virtually no health threatening toxins ormicro-organisms present, not even in minute amounts. At −10° C.,bacteria stops multiplying completely. The risk of finding bacteria andpathogenic toxins is non-existent up to +3° C. Above that level,dangerous salmonella (+5° C.) and staphylococcus aureus (+6° C.) canmultiply rapidly. Only scrupulously maintaining the cold chaineliminates these risks.

In order to maintain the cold chain on the way home over a substantialperiod of time, even during extreme summer heat, a consumer cancurrently place one or more refrigerating elements in an insulatedcontainer which holds fresh or frozen products just purchased. One ormore of these refrigerating elements charged with frigories at −18° C.diffuses frigories throughput the insulated container. This maintainsthe temperature of the products without disrupting the cold chain. Inorder for the consumer to buy or obtain a refrigerating element chargedwith frigories, a dispensing device as defined above and known throughPublication No. F.R.-A-2 745 933 is provided at the point of service. Itdispenses and recycles these refrigerating elements. This dispensingdevice is found principally in large stores near the shelves of frozenproducts. In the realm of this application, a refrigeration temperatureof −18° C. is sufficient.

This particularly simple, economical and non-polluting technology can beused prior to distribution, specifically to eliminate the use of dry icewhen transporting frozen products. This application requiresrefrigerating elements of larger volume as well as a higher charge offrigories. For this purpose, the refrigeration temperature inside therefrigeration and storage module should be as low as −35° C., forexample.

The dispensing apparatus known in the art does not achieve thisobjective, primarily because of cold escaping at the outlet orificelocated on the lower portion of the dispenser.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes overcoming this disadvantage with adispenser for high capacity refrigerating elements which dispenses andrecycles refrigerating elements that can be placed in containers fortransporting frozen products and which maintains the cold chain from thedispenser to the consumer's home.

To achieve this, the invention concerns an apparatus for dispensingrefrigerating elements such as that described in the preamble,characterized:

in that the inlet and disinfection module is located above saidrefrigeration and storage module,

in that the input and output orifices of said refrigeration and storagemodule are located in the upper portion of said module,

and in that the refrigeration and storage module comprises a thirdtransfer means for lifting the refrigerating elements to the inputorifice.

Preferably the input and output orifices of the refrigeration andstorage module are located in essentially the same plane.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first transfer meanscomprises an inclined ramp which uses gravity to transfer therefrigerating elements from said input orifice to said output orifice.

The input and disinfection module may advantageously comprise a cleaningdevice comprising two circular brushes arranged symmetrically relativeto said inclined ramp along the path of the refrigerating elements, eachbrush being attached to a motor drive rotating plate.

The input orifice may also comprise a presence detector designed totransmit a signal to the motorized element of the cleaning device when arefrigerating element is detected, said presence detector comprising anarticulated angled finger subjected to a recall spring designed so thatits free extremity is located at the rear of said input orifice on thetrajectory of the refrigerating elements, and at least one micro switch.

Preferably, the input orifice of the refrigeration and storage modulecomprises a sealed door consisting of a flexible spline which opensunder the weight of a refrigerating element.

In the preferred embodiment, the second transfer means consists of ahelicoidal rail extending inside the case from the input orifice at theupper portion to the lower portion, the purpose of said rail being toreceive said refrigeration elements which are generally vertical and inoverlapping arrangement on its upper generatrix. In this case the inputorifice of the storage and refrigeration module is located along anessentially vertical axis and the inclined ramp of the first transfermeans forms an acute angle with the axis of said input orifice.

According to the preferred embodiment, the third transfer meanscomprises a guide tube extending inside the case from the lower portionthereof to its output orifice at the upper portion, and which receivesthe superimposed, vertical refrigerating elements with the lower portionof this guide tube comprising a window located opposite the lowerextremity of the rail, as well as a lifting device for lifting thesuperimposed refrigerating elements inside said guide tube in order toaccommodate a new refrigerating element arriving from the helicoidalrail; the lower extremity of the helicoidal rail is rectilinear andessentially perpendicular to the window in said guide tube.

The lifting device may comprise a retractable projecting elementarticulated to the extremity of a runner located in a support that isparallel to and behind the guide tube, said runner moving in aback-and-forth translational motion alternating between a loweredposition and a raised position, with the projecting element movingbetween two positions, an exit position where it extends inside theguide tube while moving forward, and a returned position where it isretracted inside the support; and the lifting device comprises a stopwhich limits rotation by the articulated projecting element in itsprojecting position.

In the preferred embodiment, the articulated projecting element isessentially triangular in shape such that when it is extended, its uppersurface is essentially horizontal, and when it retracts its lowersurface is essentially vertical; the two surfaces together form an acuteangle.

Advantageously, the outlet orifice comprises a sealed door designed toopen when pushed by a refrigerating element stored in the guide tube,said sealed door sliding within an inclined support located outside saidsealed case and comprising, at the extremity that blocks said outputorifice, a bisected surface that generates a backward motion when pushedby said refrigerating element. In this case the output orifice ispreferable disposed on a vertical axis and the inclined support forms anacute angle with the axis of this output orifice.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and its advantages will be more apparent from thefollowing description of one non-limiting embodiment, with reference tothe attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is lateral cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the input and disinfection module;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are detailed views of the input orifice of therefrigeration and storage module shown closed and open, respectively;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the storage rail in the refrigeration andstorage module;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are detailed views of the third transfer means;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are detailed views of the output orifice of therefrigeration and storage module shown closed and open, respectively;and

FIG. 8 is a surface view of the refrigeration element according to theinvention.

THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, dispensing apparatus 1 of theinvention, designed to dispense refrigerating elements 10 and torecharge recycled refrigerating elements with frigories, comprises thefollowing two superimposed modules:

in the upper portion, an input and disinfection module 2 for saidrefrigerating elements equipped with an input orifice 3, an outputorifice 4 and a first transfer means 5 for transferring said elementsbetween the two orifices; and

in the lower portion, a refrigeration and storage module 6 for saidrefrigeration elements having an insulated case 60, a cold generatingdevice (not shown) for charging said refrigerating elements 10 withfrigories, an input orifice 4 corresponding to the output orifice ofsaid input and disinfection module 2, an output orifice 7, said orificestraversing a wall of said insulated case 60 a second transfer means 8for transporting said refrigerating elements 10 to be recycled insidesaid refrigeration and storage module 6 by means of gravity, and a thirdtransfer means 9 for lifting said refrigerating elements 10 from secondtransfer module 8 to the output orifice 7.

Refrigeration and storage module 6, which is generally cube shaped,rests on the floor with feet 61 and comprises a cold generating device(not shown) consisting of a conventional compressor, an evaporator, acondenser, and a recovery container. The input and disinfection module 2are located above said module 6, thus forming a compact apparatus. Inputmodule 2 is covered by an angled metal piece 20 defining a desk 21 onthe front surface. On this desk 21 are located the input orifice 3 atthe top right, the output orifice 7 at right median portion, and acommunication and control post 22, which may comprise control buttonsand indicator lights relating to the operation of dispensing apparatus1, indicating the location of input orifice 3 with an arrow, and otherinformation useful to the person operating dispensing apparatus 1.

In FIG. 2 it is very clear that input orifice 4 and output orifice 7 ofthe refrigeration and storage module 6 are located in essentially thesame plane and at the upper portion. They traverse upper wall 61 ofinsulated case 60 along generally vertical axes. This particulararrangement of input orifice 4 and output orifice 7 at the upper part ofinsulated case 60, combined with the cubic shape of the case,advantageously prevents cold from leaking and consequently is conduciveto increasing refrigeration temperature to as low as −35° C.

Likewise, with reference to FIG. 3, the input and disinfection module 2comprise a first transfer means 5 consisting of an inclined ramp 50forming a U-shaped rail that is generally equivalent in width torefrigerating elements 10. This inclined ramp 50 extends from inputorifice 3 at the upper portion to the area of output orifice 4, at thelower portion, and forms an acute angle, for example a 45° angle, withthe axis of said orifice 4. Thus, refrigerating elements 10 aretransferred between these two orifices by simple gravity, sliding alongthis inclined ramp 50. The lower extremity of this inclined ramp 50comprises two lateral flanges 51 designed to guide refrigeratingelements 10 laterally when they leave inclined ramp 50 for introductioninto input orifice 4, passing from an inclined position to anessentially vertical position by means of simple gravity.

On the trajectory of refrigerating elements 10, along said inclined ramp50, there is a cleaning and disinfection device 52. This device 52comprises, in the example shown, two circular brushes 53 that aresymmetrically disposed relative to inclined ramp 50, each brush 53 beingattached to a revolving plate 54 driven in synchronization by motorizedmeans 55. Refrigerating elements 10 are displaced along inclined ramp 50on the one hand by gravity and on the other hand due to the rotation ofbrushes 53. A reservoir of liquid disinfectant 56 is also provided forspraying said refrigerating elements 10 by means of nozzle 57 directingits stream toward brushes 53. Obviously any other cleaning anddisinfection mechanism may be used.

Inlet orifice 3 has an opening that is equivalent in section to thetransverse section of horizontally introduced refrigerating elements 10This transverse section is intentionally not symmetrical in relation tothe median axis of refrigerating elements 10 in order to orient themcorrectly inside apparatus 1. At the rear of said input orifice 3 thereis a presence detector 30 comprising an angled finger 31, articulatedand disposed so that its free extremity is situated on the trajectory ofrefrigerating elements 10, as well as a micro-switch 32 a whichtransmits a signal to the actuating means for the runner of the liftingdevice described below in order to effect the exchange of refrigeratingelements 10. For this reason, FIG. 31 extends into an activating rod 33which engages micro-switch 32 a only when finger 31 is pushed by arefrigerating element 10 according to the invention and located in theright direction, i.e., in a forward facing U. Obviously other detectionmeans could be used, such as optical detectors, for example.

A second micro-switch 32 b is also provided for transmitting a signal tomotor 55 of cleaning device 52 when a refrigerating element 10 isdetected.

With particular reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, input orifice 4 ofrefrigeration and storage module 6 comprises a parallelepiped chamber 40located in an opening of corresponding shape in upper wall 61 ofinsulated case 60. This chamber 40 extends beyond either side of saidwall 61 and comprises a sealed door 41 at the extremity located insideinsulated case 60. This sealed door 41 consists of a flexible spline,one edge of which is connected to chamber 40 and the opposite edge ofwhich closes chamber 40 in resting position, shown in FIG. 4A. Thisflexible spline 41 is inclined relative to the vertical axis of chamber40 at an acute angle, for example, a 45° angle, and it opens under theweight of a refrigerating element 10 introduced inside chamber 40, asshown in FIG. 4B.

Above this input orifice 4 the upper extremity of a helicoidal rail 80is located, forming the second transfer means 8 for transporting andstoring said refrigerating elements 10 inside storage and refrigerationmodule 6. This helicoidal rail 80, flat in shape and with regular steps,extends inside the case from top to bottom, from its input orifice 4 tothe bottom of insulated case 60. The spires that comprise thishelicoidal rail 80 form an angle with the horizontal ranging from about18° to 25°. To support said helicoidal rail 80, a support tube 82 isattached inside insulated case 60 coaxial to said rail and supportingshelves 83 attached to the interior generatrices of helicoidal rail 80,for example, every 90 degrees. Obviously it is possible to use otherattachment means. Helicoidal rail 80 is made of metal and a defrostingsystem (not shown) may be installed in certain cases to prevent frostformation.

The upper extremity of helicoidal rail 80 is rectilinear and it islocated below input orifice 4 in order to receive refrigerating elements10 as the elements fall due to gravity, position themselves inoverlapping arrangement on upper rail generatrix 81, and are guidedlaterally by lateral chamber walls 40 extending from either side of rail80. The lower extremity of helicoidal rail 80 is also rectilinear inorder to properly position refrigerating elements 10 in relation to thethird means of transfer 9 which will be described below.

Said helicoidal rail 80 permits refrigerating elements 10 to be storedin an essentially vertical position, one after the other, and to bedisplaced by gravity. FIG. 8 shows a plane view of refrigerating element10. A detailed description of it appears in Publication No. FR-A-2 745933. It takes the form of a generally parallelepiped plate andcomprises, in particular, a slot 11 defining two branches 12 and 13,said slot being generally wider than the thickness of helicoidal rail 80and tapering at the bottom. Said slot 11 is located beneath a traversingorifice 14 where the area of contact 15 with upper generatrix 81 ofhelicoidal rail 80 is located. The particular design of refrigeratingelements 10 places the center of gravity of that element below thiscontact point 15 and it is axially offset near the wider branch 13 ofthe refrigerating element so as to equalize the distribution of thesubstance contained within refrigerating element 10 between branches 12and 13. This substance is a eutectic mixture with a melting point ofabout −23° C.

With reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, the third transfer means 9comprises a guide tube 90 extending inside insulated case 60 from bottomto top, from the base of the insulated case to output opening 7. Itdefines a rectangular interior passageway 91, the dimensions of whichcorrespond to at least the largest section of refrigerating elements 10,for receiving these elements in vertical position, overlapping oneanother. The lower portion of this guide tube 90 comprises a window 92perpendicular to the lower extremity of helicoidal rail 80. Said thirdtransfer means 9 also comprises a lifting device 93 which liftsrefrigerating elements 10 superimposed inside guide tube 90 in order toaccommodate another refrigerating element 10 arriving from helicoidalrail 80 through window 92.

Lifting device 83 comprises a retractable projecting element 94articulated to the end of a runner 95 located in a support 96 that isparallel to and at the rear of guide tube 90. This runner 95 isactivated to move in alternate translation back and forth between alower position, shown in FIGS. 6A and 6C, and an upper position, shownin FIG. 6B. Projecting element 94 moves between two positions, anextended position shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, where it moves forward toproject inside guide tube 90, and a retracted position shown in FIG. 6C,where it returns to retract inside support 96. A stop 97 consisting of arod is attached to runner 95 behind projection 94 to limit its rotationin the extended position. This articulated projection 94 is generallytriangular in shape so that when it is extended, it upper surface isgenerally horizontal and when it is retracted, its lower surface isgenerally vertical, with the two surfaces together defining an acuteangle. Runner 95 may be moved by a cylinder (not shown) or any otherequivalent means regulated by a control device such as a push button ora touchpad located on table 22 of desk 21, or by the microcomputer 32 aof presence detector 30 when refrigerating elements 10 are exchanged.

With reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, output opening 7 comprises a chamber70 traversing upper wall 61 of sealed case 60 from side to side as wellas a sealed door 71 designed to open under pressure from a refrigeratingelement 10 when it is pushed by the other refrigerating elements storedin guide tube 90 and lifted by lifting device 93. Sealed door 71 slidesinside inclined support 72 located outside sealed case 60. At the endwhich blocks output opening 7, door 71 has a bisected surface 73 so itcan be pushed back by a refrigerating element 10. Output opening 7 islocated on a generally vertical axis and inclined support 72 forms anacute angle with the axis of output opening 7

It is especially simple to operate and use device 1 for dispensingrefrigerating elements 10. Before the device is placed into service,refrigeration and storage module 6 is filled with refrigerating elements10 charged with frigories that have been previously stored on palettesin freezers. Using an access door (not shown), these refrigeratingelements 10 can be placed directly on helicoidal rail 80 and in guidetube 90.

Next, when the user needs one or more refrigerating elements 10, he orshe pushes one or more times on the button or touchpad corresponding totable 22 of desk 21 and the dispensing device automatically ejects oneor more refrigerating elements 10 through output orifice 7. The buttonor touchpad sends signals to the cylinder which generates alternatedisplacement by runner 95. In the resting position (FIG. 6A), the runneris lowered. When it is displaced, it executes one cycle comprising anupward movement to the top followed by a downward movement to thebottom. During the upward movement from the lowered position (FIG. 6A)to the upper position (FIG. 6B), with projecting element 94 extendingfrom guide tube 90, it lifts with it the column of refrigeratingelements 10 contained in the tube by pushing it out the top throughoutput opening 7. Simultaneously, window 92 is engaged and ready toreceive another refrigerating element 10 automatically and bygravitational force from helicoidal rail 80 (FIG. 6B). Projectingelement 94 is disposed so that it lodges in slot 11 of refrigeratingelement 10 located in window 92 of guide tube 90. When raised,projecting element 94 comes into contact with traversing orifice 14 insaid refrigerating element 10 on contact area 15. Its upper surface isessentially horizontal so it can exert a lifting force in the axis ofguide tube 90. The extended position of projection 94 is defined by rod97 which limits its rotation by forming a back stop. When runner 95reaches the upper position (FIG. 6B), its movement is reversed and itredescends to the lowered position. During its return trip (FIG. 6C),the lower surface of projection 94 abuts refrigerating elements 10contained in guide tube 90, automatically causing projection 94 torotate into its collapsed or retracted position inside support 96 so asto disengage the projection from guide tube 90. Once in the loweredposition, runner 95 may, if necessary, begin another cycle to ejectanother refrigerating element 10. Since this transfer device 9 islocated within refrigeration and storage module 6, refrigerationelements 10 stored in guide tube 90 remain at the same temperature.

To recycle refrigerating elements 10 when the frigories have beendischarged, the user introduces them into input orifice 3 after havingpositioned them correctly. Refrigerating elements 10 descend one by one,by gravity, along inclined ramp 50 to output opening 4. Simultaneously,presence detector 30, located at the back of input orifice 3,automatically sends signals to the cylinder of runner 95 to effect theexchange of refrigerating elements 10, as well as to motor 55 whichcontrols the cleaning and disinfection mechanism, that is, brushes 53and the simultaneously sprayed liquid disinfectant. Thus, refrigeratingelements 10 are cleaned and disinfected before being introduced intorefrigeration and storage module 6 through input orifice 4. Thisprevents any contamination of the refrigeration zone. Input anddisinfection module 2 is completely separated and isolated fromrefrigeration and storage module 6. Thus, the electric and electronicequipment provided in this module can be standard equipment.

When refrigerating elements 10 pass from one module to the other throughorifice 4, they fall directly by gravity onto helicoidal rail 80 wherethey overlap one another, an arrangement which allows a considerablenumber of refrigerating elements to be stored one behind the other whilethey are recharged with frigories. This transfer means 8 is advantageousbecause it requires no drive means, since refrigerating elements 10 aredisplaced by simple gravitational force.

From this description it is apparent that the invention achieves all itsobjectives and in particular, that the specific design of the twomodules 2 and 6, as well as the positioning of input and output orifices4 and 7 at the upper part of insulated case 60, increases refrigerationpower considerably.

It would also be possible to replace third transfer module 9 by someother equivalent means of transfer that is not sensitive to lowtemperature.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus (1) for dispensing rechargeablerefrigerating elements (10), especially plates or packets containing asubstance formulated to accumulate frigories, comprising at least: aninput and disinfection module (2) for said refrigerating elements (10)provided with an input opening (3), an output opening (4), and a firstmeans (5) for transferring the elements between the two orifices; and arefrigeration and storage module (6) for the refrigerating elements (10)provided with an insulated case (60), a cold generating device forcharging the refrigerating elements with frigories, an input orifice (4)corresponding to the output orifice of the input and disinfection module(2), and an output orifice (7), the orifices (4,7) traversing a wall(61) of the insulated case (60); and with a second transfer mechanism(8) using gravity to transport the refrigeration elements (10) forrecycling inside the refrigeration and storage module, characterized inthat the inlet and disinfection module (2) is located above therefrigeration and storage module (6), in that the input (4) and output(7) orifices of the refrigeration and storage module (6) are located inthe upper portion of the module, and in that the refrigeration andstorage module (6) comprises a third transfer means (9) for lifting therefrigerating elements to the input orifice.
 2. A dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the input orifices (4) and output orifices(7) of the refrigeration and storage module (6) are generally located inthe same plane.
 3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first transfer mechanism (5) comprises an inclined ramp (50)for transferring the refrigerating elements (10) from the input orifice(3) to the output orifice (4) using gravity.
 4. The dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the input and disinfection module (2)comprises a cleaning device comprising two circular brushes (53)arranged symmetrically in relation to the inclined ramp (50) along thepath of the refrigerating elements (10), each brush (53) being attachedto a rotating plate (54) driven by a motorized device (55).
 5. Thedispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input orifice (3)comprises a presence detector (30) for transmitting a signal to themotorized means (55) of the cleaning device when a refrigerating element(10) is detected.
 6. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 5,wherein the presence detector (30) comprises an articulated angledfinger (31) subjected to a recall spring disposed so that its freeextremity is located at the rear of the input orifice (3) along the pathof the refrigerating elements (10), and at least one micro switch (32).7. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inputorifice (4) of the refrigeration and storage module (6) comprises asealed door consisting of a flexible spline (41) which opens under theweight of a refrigerating element (10).
 8. The dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the second transfer mechanism (8) consistsof a helicoidal rail (80) extending inside the case of its input orifice(4) from the upper portion to the lower portion, said rail receiving thegenerally vertical refrigerating elements (10) in overlappingarrangement on its upper generatrix (81).
 9. The dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 3, wherein the input orifice (4) of the storage andrefrigeration module (6) is disposed along a generally vertical axis,and in that the inclined ramp (50) of the first transfer mechanism (5)forms an acute angle with the axis of the input orifice (4).
 10. Thedispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third transfermechanism (9) comprises a guide tube (90) extending inside the insulatedcase (60) from its lower portion to its output orifice (7), at the upperportion, and receiving the vertically positioned, superimposedrefrigerating elements (10), with the lower portion of the guide tube(90) comprising a window (92) located opposite the lower extremity ofthe helicoidal rail (80), as well as a lifting device (93) for liftingthe refrigerating elements (10) superimposed inside the guide tube (90)to accommodate another refrigerating element (10) arriving from thehelicoidal rail (80).
 11. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 8,wherein the lower extremity of the helicoidal rail (80) is rectilinearand disposed generally perpendicular to the window (92) in the guidetube (90).
 12. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 10, whereinthe lifting device (93) comprises a retractable projecting element (94)articulated to the end of a runner (95) attached inside a support (96)disposed parallel to and at the rear of a guide tube (90), the runner(95) being driven in alternating translational back and forth motionbetween a lower position and an upper position, and the projectingelement (94) moving between two positions, an extended position where itprojects inside the guide tube (90) moving forward and a returnedposition where it is retracted inside the support (96) during itsreturn.
 13. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein thecleaning device (93) comprises a stop (97) which limits rotation by thearticulated projecting element (94) in the extended position.
 14. Thedispensing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the articulatedprojecting element (94) has a generally triangular shape such that whenit is in the extended position, its upper surface is generallyhorizontal and when in the retracted position, its lower surface isessentially vertical, the two surfaces together defining an acute angle.15. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the outputorifice (7) comprises a sealed door (71) which opens when pushed by arefrigerating element (10) stored in the guide tube (90).
 16. Thedispensing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the sealed door (71)slides inside an inclined support (72) located outside the insulatedcase (60), and in that it comprises at the extremity which blocks theoutput orifice (7) a bisected surface (73) that moves backward whenpushed by the refrigerating element (10).
 17. The dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 16, wherein the output orifice (7) is disposed alongan essentially vertical axis and in that the inclined support (72) formsan acute angle with the axis of the output orifice.